Fatality at Central Appalachian Mining’s Grapevine South Surface Coal Mine, W.Va.
[Click image to enlarge]
A coal miner has died in an incident in a southern West Virginia mine, Gov. Jim Justice said Monday.
William Mapes, 73, of Freeburn, Kentucky, died Sunday, Justice said in a news release. Mapes had 53 years of mining experience and was working as a contractor for LSM Contracting near Central Appalachian Mining LLC’s Grapevine South Surface Mine in Mingo County, along the Kentucky border, Justice said Sunday in a news release.
The statement said Mapes was “fatally injured” but did not include details of the incident.
“Any time we lose a brave coal miner, it’s a tragedy beyond belief. We should all be eternally grateful to Mr. Mapes for his 53 years as a coal miner, just as we should always be grateful to all coal miners across our state. Cathy and I will keep this man and his loved ones in our prayers and ask all West Virginians to join with us,” W.Va. Gov. Justice said.
It was the first reported U.S. coal mining fatality of the year. There were at least 10 coal mining-related deaths nationwide last year, including four in West Virginia and two each in Kentucky and Pennsylvania, according to the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Be in-the-know when you’re on-the-go!
FREE eNews delivery service to your email twice-weekly. With a focus on lead-driven news, our news service will help you develop new business contacts on an on-going basis.
CLICK HERE to register your email address.
